NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When the Lipscomb Lady Bisons golf team plays Monday and Tuesday in the Big Blue Intercollegiate there will be a new look to the team.

Freshman Miriam Parker, with an 83 stroke average, has moved up the ladder steadily this season.

“Miriam is the biggest mover,” Lady Bisons coach Buddy Harston said. “She didn’t qualify for the last tournament in the fall, but I took her anyway. She and I worked on the range in the afternoons. She took what we worked on and went home for Christmas and continued to work.

“The sky is the limit for Miriam. She is very gifted athletically. She has the best pivot through the ball of any girl I have worked with.”

Harston worked on fixing Parker’s swing off of the tee. Her club face was closed which meant she was going to hook many of her shots.

“We squared her club face,” Harston said. “She doesn’t have to work as hard now not to hook the ball. She can hit it straighter and higher.”

One area where Harston has not had to do major work is on Parker’s short game. She was technically sound when she arrived at Lipscomb.

“Her short game mechanics are the best on the team,” Harston said. “She catches the ball in the center of the club face on a very consistent basis. We have really worked as a team on the short game all fall and winter.

“Miriam is getting more focused. She is used to college now.”

Parker and junior MacKenzy Carter, with an 82 average, are battling for the No. 1 spot at this stage of the season.

“MacKenzy is probably the most consistent player,” Harston said. “What I like about MacKenzy is you can’t tell is she is playing well or playing poorly. She just goes out and plays.”